WITH the scores locked at 2-2 and 10 minutes left on the clock, a superbly struck free-kick by Steve Lathom earned Runcorn Town maximum reward in front of a large crowd at near neighbours Helsby.
Earlier the visitors had gone into the break two goals to the good courtesy of Marvin Molyneaux and Simon Burton only for Helsby to fight back and level through Conrad Taylor and Idris Kamara. The victory keeps Town hot on the heels of league leaders Cammell Laird Reserves who had Mike McGraa and Billy Foster on target in their 2-0 defeat of hosts Halton.
Third-placed West Kirby also enjoyed away success as Paul Hughes (2), Phil Owens and Chris Barrow registered in a 4-1 win at Vauxhall Reserves who had Khyle Simpson hitting a consolation.
At Gayton Park, Heswall leapfrogged opponents Marine Reserves into fourth place as Nathan Mapletoft and Matty Houghton netted in a 2-0 victory while Newton overcame hosts Maghull 3-1.
Steve Jones, Kev Duncalf and Jamie Hannah were the visitors’ marksmen while Sam Wilkie struck for Maghull. Willaston (Dominic Holden, Carl Dunbar, Chris Kennedy) got the better of Upton AA (John Paul Cain, Simon Andrews) 3-2 and Mark Price and Jimmy Maryniak were the Ellesmere Port goal heroes as they overcame bottom club Blacon YC.
In division two’s top game Chester Nomads became the new leaders after disposing of promotion rivals FC Pensby 2-1. Adam Corless was the home scorer with Kieran Smith and Dan Riley netting for Nomads.
RESULTS: Division One: Blacon Youth Club 1 Ellesmere Port 2; Halton 0 Cammell Laird Res 2; Helsby 2 Runcorn Town 3; Heswall 2 Marine Res 0; Maghull 1 Newton 3; Vauxhall Motors Res 1 West Kirby 4; Willaston 3 Upton A.A. 2.
Division Two: Capenhurst Villa 1 Marshalls 2; FC Pensby 1 Chester Nomads 2; Grange Athletic 2 AFC Bebington Athletic 1; Mossley Hill Athletic 3 Ashville 2; Southport Trinity 2 Maghull Res 1.
Division Three: Christleton Res 0 Prescot Cables Res 2; Ellesmere Port Res 6 Blacon Youth Club Res 0; Mersey Royal 1 Hale 3; Richmond R Rovers 1 Mossley Hill Athletic Res 1; Upton A.A. Res 6 Southport Trinity Res 3.
Youth Division: AFC Bebington 4 Sao Paulo 0; AFC Liverpool 1 Marshalls 1; Belfry 3 Maghull 2; St Sebastians 7 Hale 1; Widnes Town 3 Mayfield 2.
Wirral District F.A. Amateur Cup Round 2: Ashville Res 5 Capenhurst Villa Res 0; Mallaby 3 Manor Athletic 1; New Brighton 2 Heswall Res 1.
